MA Specialized Music Performance | Contemporary Music
Hochschule für Musik Basel
Creative interpretation of new music in the context of sonic space basel: composition, contemporary performance, open creation, audio design and new music theory are brought together here. Collaborations with the beacons of the international new music scene in the context of more than 50 public performances each year guarantee innovation, artistic excellence and a high level of networking opportunities. The work structure is modular, diverse and collaborative.
- In-depth examination of the broad spectrum of contemporary music-making through collaborative exchange
- Individual specification of the study programme to a large extent
- Supplementary modules in theory, reflection, communication and marketing
Steckbrief
Zukunftsaussichten
Learning outcomes
Due to its high level of specialisation, the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Musical Performance with Contemporary Music Major generally builds on a Master's degree in music pedagogy or musical performance (or equivalent qualification). The core instrumental/vocal skills acquired there are brought up to the highest international standards in the field of contemporary music creation and ensemble work, enabling students to achieve exceptional performances on national and international stages.
Career prospects
Students of this programme find employment in the independent scene and specialised ensembles for contemporary music. They can establish their own ensembles, design and curate festivals, event series and new performance formats in order to position them in the market on both analogue and digital platforms.
Target audience
This study course programme is aimed at musicians who, building on comprehensive instrumental/vocal training, want to engage specifically and in depth with contemporary music, with a view to their professional future in this field.
Study variant available:
The combined master's program – Contemporary Music and education in music pedagogy
Opening horizons with contemporary music?
Is there still something new to discover?
Impressionen of and with Helmut Lachenmann at the Basel Academy of Music
Aufbau und Inhalte
Alongside their tutoring duties, the programme's artistic directors help students create their personalised study programme and support them at every stage of the Master's thesis process. They also advise students on the choice of lecturers for their individual classes, offered either within the Academy of Music or in other parts of Europe. As part of the Contemporary Music Major, students will also take theory, communication and networking modules at the FHNW Academy of Music. They will work with sonic space basel to develop concert and performance projects, which will ultimately be staged at national and international festivals. Collaboration and interdisciplinarity are core components of the curriculum.
Specials
- In addition to individual lessons, 17 freely selectable lessons at and outside HSM Basel
- Eduard Brunner Composition Prize: Every year, one of our students is awarded a composition prize worth CHF 5,000 as part of an internal sonic space basel competition.
- Annual artistic cooperation with a university/college outside Switzerland
zone expérimentale – the contemporary chamber music ensemble
In addition to basic practical and theoretical training, collaboration with the 'zone expérimentale' ensemble on contemporary chamber music is a central focus of the Contemporary Music Major. As well as working with tutors from around the world, students will regularly hone their contemporary collective practice at the Studio/LAB for Contemporary Music. They will also have the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, masterclasses and colloquia hosted and given by their Contemporary Music Major tutors and/or guest lecturers.
Modules and Reglements
The BA and MA degree programs at the Basel Academy of Music are based on modules.
The legally binding structure provides an initial guide to the content and weighting of the subjects on the degree programme.
The detailed content and modalities of the individual subjects can be found in the module descriptions.
The study regulations come into force together with the study and examination regulations of the Basel Academy of Music FHNW and form the legal framework.
Vertiefungen
International
Leitung und Dozierende
Learning from the Best
Prof. Yaron Deutsch
Lecturer for Contemporary Music and Open Creation
Prof. Sarah Maria Sun
Lecturer for Contemporary Music and Open Creation
Prof. Marcus Weiss
Dozent für Saxophon und Zeitgenössische Musik
Voraussetzungen, Zulassung, Eignungsabklärung
Admission criteria
In order to enter the FHNW Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance programme with a Contemporary Music Major, applicants must be awarded a Master in Music Performance with an instrumental/vocal major or a Master in Music Pedagogy or equivalent (with corresponding instrumental/vocal level), as well as they must have passed the entrance exam and were offered a free place at the Academy (limited places). Applicants who have submitted all the necessary registration documents in time will be invited to the online entrance exam.
For further information on the admission criteria, please see the Studienreglement of the Master of Arts FHNW in Specialized Music Performance.
Required skills
- Excellent knowledge of the “classical/classic” repertoire on own instrument.
- High instrumental proficiency.
- Independent, artistic ability and high level of motivation to develop and hone an individual repertoire.
- High level of motivation to engage with different forms of contemporary music and their aesthetic, technical and historical context.
Language Skills
Sufficient knowledge of German is recommended but not required.
Organisatorisches
sonic space basel
sonic space basel is a Platform of Basel Academy of Music for Audio Design (BA and MA), Composition (BA and MA and MA SP), MA SP Contemporary Music, BA Music Theory Major, MA MP Music Theory, MA SP New Music Theory, MA SP Open Creation and Research.
We consider ourselves a laboratory, a communication tool and an information hub for contemporary music.
Projects / Ensembles
At Hochschule für Musik Basel, students have the opportunity to participate in various project and ensemble programmes.
To the overview of the recurring offers.
Quicklinks
- Welcome: A brief overview
- Studying in Switzerland
- Tuition fees & Financing
- Scholarship
- Module descriptions
